I'm getting a new car. I can't get anything too flashy unfortunately, otherwise it'd be a c5 no question. This is a car I can look real professional with my business. I'm lookin at a few e46's, e39's, and trying to find a manual is300. I'm pretty much settled on an e39 540i sport 6spd. Anyone with any opinions on them? I always thought they were cool but after driving one and seeing all the creature comforts, I fell in love. So talk me out of it if it's junk and help me find something similar for 16k or less. I could probably do more and write it off my taxes since it's for my business, but I'd like to try to stay under 16k.

If the mod costs more than $100, it won't be done.

5/27/2007 12:20:57 PM

Theres really nothing as far as mods for them that is less than $100. Then again you wont need to mod it. Period. I mean I put a CAI on mine but it didnt need it. I will probably buy another one some day.

5/27/2007 12:26:59 PM

well yeah, I was saying that so someone doesn't come with some shit like get a vw blahblahblah and chip it and exhaust and whatever the fuck. note: I'm not interested in anything VAG has to offer in the sub $50,000 range

5/27/2007 12:29:22 PM

e39 540i = hot.
K&N filter= 15-20 hp on that car. forums say def worth it

^can't help but think you might mean me when you say someone who might tell you to get a vw and chip it... if so, note that the last time I said that, it was to someone who already had a 2.8 vw and the 1.8T version of the same car was merely more tuneable while otherwise allowing him to have a similar car...

A vw 1.8T wouldn't be my first choice if a 540i Sport 6spd was in the same ballpark...

[Edited on May 27, 2007 at 12:40 PM. Reason : .]

5/27/2007 12:38:34 PM

no I wasn't referring to you at all. I'm just trying to get something classy/professional that I can be happy with. It doesn't have to be all that classy, just not something like an evo with a giant wing on the back. The 540i is just the car I'm looking at at the moment, but if you guys have better suggestions, post em.

5/27/2007 12:47:51 PM

damn, you can write off a car for tax purpose? I need to hop on that train.

btw, i got a e34 540i for sale for 6500 if you're interested.

[Edited on May 27, 2007 at 12:54 PM. Reason : .]

5/27/2007 12:50:14 PM

you write off the deprecation in value

5/27/2007 1:05:19 PM

if his business buys the car then he can also get a tax credit for his car payments

5/27/2007 5:42:23 PM

and if his business is self-incorporated......

5/27/2007 9:20:42 PM

yeah I'm a sole proprietor atm

5/27/2007 10:04:58 PM

Quote :

"you can write off a car for tax purpose? "

you can write almost anything off for tax purposes. Specially a car. That's why big businesses pay high priced lawyers to reduce their taxes. One main reason why corporations fund free non-profit organizations because they can write it off and it helps their PR, so its a win win situation for businesses.

5/27/2007 10:50:52 PM

I'm enjoying my 540i sport. its a solid car thats fun to drive. infact my M5 rear sway bar came in friday and its going on today, woot. front will come later when i have time to install the damn thing

Quote :

"e39 540i = hot. K&N filter= 15-20 hp on that car. forums say def worth it"

nein. bmws have excellent intakes and exhausts from the factory. CAIs, but free up a pony or two, but its more for sound than power.

5/28/2007 11:13:35 AM

^yea, that's what I've read also. Don't waste your money putting in a CAI.

5/28/2007 11:25:23 AM

I wasn't planning on spending money on anything besides maintenance for a while

5/28/2007 11:54:23 AM

I'd like to get one too. I regret not getting primer's earlier this year. it was a tight ride. if anyone comes across a nice one I'd like to check it out

[Edited on May 28, 2007 at 11:55 AM. Reason : ,,]

5/28/2007 11:55:19 AM

used, non-sport package e90 325i is what i would be looking for.... e39 is hot and extremely nice car, but it was designed 10 years ago. if you are looking for classy business vehicle get something newer. better chasis, technologically more advanced, quieter....bla bla

[Edited on May 28, 2007 at 8:43 PM. Reason : asdf]

5/28/2007 8:42:11 PM

remove the large resonator. 30 bucks at bobs

5/29/2007 12:52:30 PM

^i'd like to hear that. another guy i know might do a magnaflow muffler and keep the resonator.

itd unlikely i'll ever change the stock exhaust, but id like to give some options a listen.

5/29/2007 4:02:49 PM

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Dq9O-KblNf0

not under $100, but damn

[Edited on May 31, 2007 at 8:36 PM. Reason : ,]

5/31/2007 8:35:52 PM

OT:

remus does make a damn nice sounding exhaust, but i haven't been able to find a local shop.

some grad student/faculty that parked in front of nelson had an s2k with one. it sounded really nice, esp. for a 4 cyl.

6/1/2007 9:51:43 AM

I tracked the 540i today at VIR. I was there for the Lotus day expo'ing the Insight Racing car and one thing led to another...

Over all, it felt great. It settled and felt really planted on the throttle like the E36. V8 power is awesome. grip was fine w/ the Falken FK452s. The brakes did better than i thought they would. They held up to the 3 25min sessions, backing off a bit at the end of each and i had to come in a couple laps early at the last session due to them sounding and feeling and smelling really bad.

I ran in the intermediate group since i was in a fat lard compared to all the Elises and Exiges and i even got two passes and was once reeling in an Exige over about 5 laps. it was awesome! Everybody was like wow, you were driving the shit out of that thing. The Exige i was playing w/ said it looked like i was about to roll off the track. baha

summary: this is a pretty sweet automobile.

7/27/2007 9:23:25 AM

It all comes down to how you'll use the 540i6.

On an open curvy 2 lane road it is great - tons of grip, good power, it is a proper driver's car that happens to have climate control and 4 comfortable leather seats.

However, in day to day commuting it annoyed me. As did the cost of running it. So I sold it.

7/27/2007 11:40:41 AM

my dad has one. its been a good car compared to his old 740il

i dont like the auto though

7/27/2007 11:51:54 AM

I honestly thought Mr Primer was going to wrap us around a tree in his. Interesting vehicle. And I would definitely have one of it weren't for the dawgers.

There were would be more slobber on the back window than the sides for a change. haaa

7/27/2007 12:39:55 PM

haha i have a pad/cover on the back seat where my dog rides. and yeh i have nose/snot marks all over the inside of my rear windows. thats life i guess.

7/27/2007 12:55:28 PM

Two 110 pound labs in a grippy fast car don't go so well together. The Excursion was tuned up and I had to watch the rearview to make sure they were pinned against the back door before I did anything crazy.

7/27/2007 1:10:46 PM

Ha if mine is lucky enough to ride inside the car he holds on for dear life. Otherwise I take it easy and just drive the truck.

7/27/2007 1:21:53 PM

Quote :

"e39 is hot and extremely nice car, but it was designed 10 years ago"

Exactly! Before BMWs were fucked up by Bangle.

7/27/2007 1:23:59 PM

^^^ hah yeh. mine is a 35lb austrailian shepard mix. she stands back there and leans into the turns/brakes/gas as if she's surfing. pretty damn funny, but shes good at it.

7/27/2007 1:31:41 PM

Quote :

"I honestly thought Mr Primer was going to wrap us around a tree in his. Interesting vehicle. And I would definitely have one of it weren't for the dawgers."

like i told dannydigtl the other day DAMN i miss that car! especialy 3rd gear!

7/27/2007 8:53:25 PM

No kidding. 3rd gear was the charm on that car.

7/27/2007 9:02:59 PM

Buy a Marauder.

7/28/2007 2:35:17 PM

fixed the damn random exhaust-on-body noises yesterday.

new motor and tranny mounts, FTW. perfect silence, and snappy-upped the drivetrain a bit. snappy-upped... yep

8/2/2007 12:05:36 PM

damn dude, it wasnt the center exhaust hanger??

one of the engine mounts was brand new, did you replace it too?

[Edited on August 2, 2007 at 9:42 PM. Reason : p]

8/2/2007 9:41:32 PM

nope, i tried the center exhaust hanger first. no luck.

yeh i wasnt gonna replace the one you did, but then i found a set of two on ebay cheap, $85.

8/3/2007 9:07:07 AM

im glad the car went to someone who is thorough in their maintenance habits, i certianly tried to be.

might be cabin filter time if you havent done that

8/3/2007 12:42:10 PM